Northwest Nova

What is an RPO Code?

An RPO code is the alphanumeric system GM uses for identifying options to be installed at the factory during vehicle production.  It is in essence a top-level "part" number used to identify assemblies and systems, such as air conditioning, that the buyer has chosen for their new vehicle. 

"RPO" stands for Regular Production Option(s). The other related term is "FOA" Factory Optional Accessory.  These options can range from high performance engines to tissue dispensers.  Some of these options were rare, one year only features; the 1965 Chevy II AM / FM radio for example.  Others were common, offered year after year; power accessories such as brakes & steering.  The codes were normally found on the various order related paperwork (dealer invoice, order form, build sheet, etc.).  On Canadian built vehicles they were also stamped on the cowl tag.

Factory installed RPOs will and do overlap with dealer installed options, referred to as Dealer Installed Accessories in the GM literature.  The dealer installed items normally do not have a code associated with them, just the GM part or assembly number.  The optional item was in the dealership's parts inventory or coming from the GM warehouse, not the factory assembly line.  Not all factory options could be dealer installed and not all dealer installed accessories were factory options.  This however should not be treated as an absolute, as an exception to the rule can almost always be found in this era. 

There are many cases of individual dealers offering and installing unique (non-GM) accessories as sales gimmicks or aftermarket performance products as optional upgrades. These would not have had RPO codes.  Alternatively, using the larger pool of RPO code offerings some found creative ways of ordering cars to include options, or combinations of options, not officially available on a specific model vehicle—the COPO Camaros being the most famous example of such practices.  The COPO process was legitimately meant for ordering things like fleet service vehicles (military, USPS) or batches of cars headed for overseas markets.

RPO codes were generally standard between vehicle lines, but unique ones occur when the option or accessory was specific to a particular car or model.  GM (at least with the Chevy II) changed the numbering convention in 1963 from three numbers (i.e. 345), to a letter followed by two numbers (i.e. T60).  One often sees RPO codes for the 1962 Chevy II lumped in with the 1963 and later alphanumeric convention.  In reality 1962 used a different coding system borrowed from other Chevrolets of the period.

What follows is a list of the RPO codes associated with the 1962 Chevy II / Nova.  The corresponding 1963 RPO codes are provided as well (when applicable) for reference.  This data has been pulled from original GM documents, not websites or forums.  There easily could be errors or codes missing, old GM docs are not perfect resources.

Engine 

Optional Item	1962 RPO Code	1963 RPO Code	Applicable Model(s)
Battery, Heavy Duty	345	T60	All
Clutch, Heavy Duty	227	M01	All
Crankcase Ventilation (PCV), Special	244	---	All
Generator—35 Amp	338	---	All
Generator—Delcotron 12~42 Amp	317	K79	All
Generator—Delcotron 5~52 Amp	434	K82	All
Generator—Delcotron 23~62 Amp	435	K81	All
Radiator, Heavy Duty	257	V01	All

 

Transmission 

Optional Item	1962 RPO Code	1963 RPO Code	Applicable Model(s)
Powerglide	314	M35	All

 

Chassis 

Optional Item	1962 RPO Code	1963 RPO Code	Applicable Model(s)
Axle, Rear—3.36:1 Ratio	214	G76	6-cyl Except Wagons
Axle, Rear—3.08:1 Ratio	203	---	100 & 300 Series Except Wagons
Axle, Rear—3.36:1, 3.08:1 Ratios, Limited Slip	676	G80	All Except Wagons
Axle, Rear—3.55:1 Ratio, Limited Slip	676	G80	All 4-cyl
Brakes—Metallic	686	J65	All
Brakes—Power	403	J50	All
Disks, Wheel (Hubcaps)	126	P01	All
Disks, Wheel Simulated Wire (Hubcaps)	133	P02	All
Police Car Chassis Equipment	599	Z04	100 Series 4-door Sedan, 6–cyl
Shock Absorbers, Heavy Duty, Rear	200	F40 1	All Except Wagons
Springs—Heavy Duty, Front	253	F40 1	All
Springs—Heavy Duty, Rear	593	F40 1	All
Steering, Power	392	N40	All

1. The F40 "special suspension package" replaced the individual upgrade options in 1963.

 

Tires 

Optional Item	1962 RPO Code	1963 RPO Code	Applicable Model(s)
6.00 x 13–4 pr., Whitewall	483	P50	2 & 4-door Sedans
6.50 x 13–4 pr., Blackwall	491	P52	2 & 4-door Sedans
6.50 x 13–4 pr., Whitewall	661	P53	All
6.50 x 14–4 pr., Blackwall	1796	P66	All
6.50 x 14–4 pr., Whitewall	1798	P67	All
7.00 x 13–4 pr., Whitewall	449	P54	Station Wagons

 

Body 

Optional Item	1962 RPO Code	1963 RPO Code	Applicable Model(s)
Air Conditioning	135	C60	All
Arm Rests, Rear	248	D10	100 Series
Belt Unit, Front Seat	148	A37	All
Bumper Guard, Rear	150	V32	All Except Wagons
Comfort and Convenience Equipment (Package): Back-up Lamps Inside Prismatic Mirror (Day / Night) Outside Mirror (LH) 2-Speed Windshield Wipers w/ Washer Glove Box Light (Except 400 Series)	147	Z01	All
Folding Top Equipment, Electric	373	C06	467 (400 Convertible)
Folding Top Colors	470	C05	467 (400 Convertible)
Glass Tinted (Windshield Only or Complete)	398	A01 (Complete) | A02 (Windshield)	All
Grille Guard, Front	140 | 149 2	V20	All
Pad, Instrument Panel (Dash Pad)	428	B70	All
Police Car Body Equipment	594	B01	100 Series 4-Door Sedan, 6-cyl
Radio, Manual	141	U60	All
Radio, Push–Button	142	U63	All
Second Seat, Split	259	A66	Station Wagons
Tailgate Window, Power	424	A33	Station Wagons
Taxicab Equipment	211	B02	100 Series 4-Door Sedan

2. We have found two different numbers listed for the front grille guard RPO code, but never an explanation why.  Could be an error, could be a supercede scenario. To complicate things, one 1962 reference lists both.